The Barrett Tanker Taken by Pirates

The “Barrett” as been overtaken by pirates in the Bight of Benin with all of its crew. Shipowners Union Maritime confirmed the attack in their second statement since losing track of the ship’s location when its AIS data stopped updating.

The company was actively working with all relevant parties to ensure the situation is resolved “successfully and as quickly as possible. The “Barrett” was last heard from late Jan 9 when it was at anchor off Benin. Union Maritime alerted local maritime authorities and explored all possible options and efforts as they continuously monitored the situation.

The primary concern is for the 22 crew on board and ensuring their safety. The “Barrett” left an anchorage off the port of Lagos, Nigeria in the evening of Jan 5, proceeding west until it reached the vicinity of Lomé, Togo, on the morning of Jan 6.

It departed the area in the afternoon of 8 January and was headed east until it abruptly turned to port, towards land in Cotonou, Benin when its AIS tracking data ceased updating.